The Vaudeville Star

“I’m not. My mother always preferred my sister, and I always had the impression I was an ugly duckling.”

“Not at all, my dear.” King moved to her, and when he caught her in his arms, she yelped and immediately pressed her hands against his chest.

“King!” she said softly.

“I’m smitten, my dear! It’s only a matter of time until this damned mourning is done, and then you will be my wife.”

“No, please—”

Just then, a hard knock fell on the door, and Ford came in without being bid to enter. King and Ruby sprang apart, but not before Ford had taken it all in. Ruby wrapped in King’s arms with a pink face. Meanwhile, King looked like a cat who was about to taste all the cream.

“I apologize. I didn’t see you in the smoking room and wanted to make certain you were all right,” Ford said gruffly, but nothing was further from the truth.

“That’s fine, Ford, my boy. That’s fine. I was just complimenting Ruby here. She’s a lovely creature.” King chuckled.

Ruby realized that King had had too much to drink. He slumped onto the sofa as he waved a hand at them both.

“See Ruby back to her room, Ford. My legs have given out. Damned nuisance!”

“Of course, King.”

Ford’s hand was at Ruby’s back as they exited the suite. He said nothing as he walked her back to her own cabin. When she stepped inside, he was right behind her. Suddenly, he was jerking her to him, his face a mask of anger.

“What the hell was that?” he said lowly.

“He invited me into his suite for a drink.” Ruby fought the urge to press into him.

“My God, Ruby! Did you see him? He had his hands all over you! He wanted to bed you!”

“He was drunk.”

“Don’t defend him! If he’s drunk, that’s even worse! Then he can forget his manners and behave like an animal!”

“And you? You’re behaving equally bad. Let go of me.”

“Am I?”

“Yes. You have no right to touch me!”

“No right?” He pulled her flush against him.

She could feel the tension in his entire body, and she closed her eyes as his mouth dipped near her ear.

“I’ve no right? I remember your sighs in my ear when I entered you. I remember my cock stained with your virgin blood. I have no right?” he repeated again.

Ruby closed her eyes at his coarse words. “You’re being vulgar, Ford. Disgusting.”

“No, Ruby. I’m just not going to stand by and watch King fawn and fuck you when by all rights you belong to me.”

Ruby shivered at his words. You belong to me. “You’re drunk too.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I’ve just begun to realize what I really want.”

“Which is?”

“You know. You knew before me.”

“What do I know?”